Summary

Booklist Review

Ages 3-6. Peter the little tiger is looking for the perfect pumpkin. He doesn't want a "lumpy, bumpy pumpkin" or a "stumpy, grumpy pumpkin"; he's looking for a "showy, glowy pumpkin." The mystery is why he wants one: he's not a pumpkin eater; he doesn't want it for pumpkin pickles, salad, or pie. The answer comes when Peter finally finds one that's just right--and with his dad's help, he carves the perfect jack-o-lantern. Toddlers will relish the bouncy, rhyming stanzas and silly wordplay, which help make this a great, nonspooky Halloween storytime choice. The subtly textured computer-generated art has solid child appeal, thanks to a vibrant primary-color palette and simply depicted, easily recognizable objects' enhanced with bold black outlines. Peter is a cute, sweet-faced cartoonlike character, as are his animal friends, who show the fruits of their labors at book's end. --Shelle Rosenfeld

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is that it provides a wonderful selection for storyhours that isn't full of the typical Halloween imagery. There are no costumes, ghosts, or witches, and the word "Halloween" is not even mentioned in the text itself. Serfozo tackles a subject that has been covered many times before-selecting a pumpkin and turning it into a jack-o'-lantern. However, this title is far from old and stale. Peter, a boldly rendered and engaging tiger cub, is on the hunt for the perfect "sunny, sumptuous pumpkin." He does not want a "lumpy, bumpy pumpkin" or a "stumpy, grumpy pumpkin" or "some squat, lopsided pumpkin,/but a glossy lot of pumpkin." Finding one that meets his standards, he and his father carve "a simply dimply, dumply face." The large, vibrant illustrations are a perfect match for this short rhyming story. A quick, engaging read-aloud that will be enjoyed at many fall programs.-Piper L. Nyman, Fairfield/Suisun Community Library, Fairfield, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.